Seafish seeks smaller trawler

Seafish Tasmania has confirmed it is trying to secure a smaller ship from an overseas company so it can fish its quota of jack mackerel and redbait.

It follows the decision by the Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, to ban the company from using the 140-metre trawler Abel Tasman for two years, pending further scientific studies.

Seafish Tasmania director Gerry Geen says the company wants to fish its 18,000 tonne quota and is looking at leasing a 90-metre ship from the company which supplied the super trawler.

"They have a number of vessels which are entirely suitable for this fishery and we would like to use one of those kinds of boats where we can freeze the fish on board, get a catch for human consumption and catch it economically," he said.

"There are a number of boats and we have provided specific information to the government."

An investigation in Seafish's original fishing plan was launched after Independent Federal MP Andrew Wilkie lodged a complaint about the company's quota.

It found Mr Geen was allowed to sit in on meetings recommending catch limits for jack mackerel and redfish, despite raising a conflict of interest.

Mr Geen says Mr Wilkie has made a meal of the super trawler debate

"I'm very concerned it was used by Mr Wilkie in a political context to harden public opinion against our project, using the Abel Tasman to catch what is now a lawfully set quota and I think that was extremely damaging."